Quality of Life Doctors

# Is that all there is?

# If that's all there is my friends then let's keep dancing... #

Paul?

Paul? Hello?

Will you be a darling and drop me off at Jenny's on your way?

We might have wine at lunch.

Sure.

You don't mind, do you? My not going with you?

No, of course not.

I know what she's going to say. It's just a formality.

Shall we go?

Yeah, yeah, it's always worth an ask.

All right, thank you. Bye.

How's your dad?

He's better the last couple of days. He's getting happier.

That was an old friend of mine who I trained with

and he reckons there's this new physio

who's got this really holistic approach to motivating people.

Hmm...sounds interesting.

It would be really tough to get him transferred now.

I'll speak to Heston, I'll see what he reckons.

Good for you! Bet he's delighted he's got you fighting his corner.

Well, tablets are usually a last resort.

Why do you think you're not sleeping?

-I've just come from St Phil's...

-Yeah, they've been in touch.

-You know the cancer's gone?

-Yeah, that's great news...

..isn't it?

So, why do I feel like this?

When I was first diagnosed...

OK, there was the shock...

but then, I don't know...life...

..just walking down the street, or eating an apple, or whatever,

there was...a savour to it, an excitement.

When you thought your time was limited.

Everything was so alive and vivid, and now...

Well, it's not as uncommon as you'd think.

Mostly people feel guilty,

wonder why they've been allowed to live and not others.

You just need to take time to readjust.

Are you back at work?

The scintillating world of investment banking? Not yet.

I've lost my appetite for it -

and I don't need the money,

I've got more of that than I know what to do with.

Loads of people would envy you, you know.

You can do anything you want now -

travel the world, live the high life...

-Is that how you'd like to live?

-Wouldn't everyone?

You're right.

I'm sorry for moaning on...

I don't know what I'm doing here, really.

Maybe I should take up skydiving or something?

Maybe not that

but, yeah, you could try doing something completely different.

Something you haven't done before.

I'll have a think about it.

OK, well if you're still feeling like this in a couple of weeks

you come back and see me.

Might be that you could benefit from some counselling.

OK, I will do. Thanks.

Any change, love? Eh?

Stop that! Stop that, immediately!

Any change for a pie and a cup of tea?

Even half a cup of tea?

Did you see that? How good was she at not making eye contact?

Well, I do not blame her.

-Mr Beano, you are not much to look at.

-Oi!

Look at that, 50p and a button. It's pathetic.

It is clear that your charm offensive is not working.

And if it is food that you are really after,

you know that nice Mrs Jennings

will be opening up her soup kitchen very shortly.

I'm not going anywhere, Mrs T.

Mr Beano, you cannot do this!

Well, I am. I've set myself a target, you see.

Then I am very sorry, I really am going to have to call the police.

Oi, Mr? Any change?

Oh, come on, Mr, don't be tight. Bit of change?

Get yourself a decent meal.

Thank you!

Thank you, very much. I will!

KNOCKING ON DOOR Yeah?

Heston? I was wondering if you could put in a good word

and try and get Dad's physio changed?

I've been hearing some really good things about this new guy.

Well, any change in treatment needs to be instigated by your dad.

Have you seen him in the last few days? There's been a real change in him.

Well, he is my patient

and as such he deserves a certain degree of confidentiality.

I'm not sure we really should be having this conversation.

OK, I was only asking you to put a word in!

What's happened?

You're not keeping something from me, are you? He hasn't deteriorated?

I haven't seen for a week. I'm sure he's absolutely fine.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Paul?

Will you pay the taxi for me?

I haven't got any change.

Of course.

Take this...

-and I don't want any change.

-Ah, thanks, mate! Are you sure?

So, did it go as planned?

Oh, yeah, I've got the all-clear.

Thank goodness for that!

We went to Sutherley's in the end. Really busy for a Thursday!

I wanted the monkfish - you know, they'd actually run out?

I gave a homeless guy some money today.

Have you ever got a kick out of just giving something away?

How much?

He was filthy, you know, stunk to high heaven!

Honestly, Paul, he must have seen you coming!

The look on his face!

It was 50 quid.

It was lying in my wallet not doing anything but...

the difference it made to him.

-50?!

-Then, when I'd done it, I just felt absolutely fantastic.

You know, it made me really look outside myself

and properly connect with the world,

you know, like I did when I first got ill.

I make it a rule never to give to beggars.

Probably went straight off to buy drugs.

Why do you always think the worst of people?

I got some new samples today, when I was out.

I'll show you, shall I?

What do you think of russet for the new dining room curtains?

I really don't care.

Have you given any more thought about going back to work?

That's what Doctor Tyler said.

Did you see him?

It's going to be such a relief to get back to normal!

"Normal"? Grace, can you not see? I don't want "normal"?

Paul, it's over. You're well again. There's no need to wallow in it.

You have no idea, do you?

-Do you ever get sick of it?

-What?

The endless nail appointments, the lunches, the spa days.

Do you never get tired of it all?

You need a change. We should go on holiday.

The Caribbean? You liked it so much last year.

A lot has happened to me since then!

(There's no need to shout.)

I feel suffocated, more...

like I'm in a coffin than if I'd actually died!

Really, Paul! This is nothing that a good holiday can't cure.

Oh, yeah, getting away from it all? You know what?

Giving that guy that money today, making someone else feel good,

that felt like an adventure to me.

Just to talk to someone like that, just to look him in the eye...

You want to talk to beggars now?

Like Mother Teresa?

I'm going out!

-I've made you a coffee.

-I'm going out!

# Angels watching over me

# With smiles upon their face

# Cos I have made it through this far in an unforgiving place

# It feels sometimes this is too deep for a girl like me to climb

# But I must knock those thoughts right down. #

Looks like your asthma's under control.

I'll write you a new prescription before you go.

-A few more questions, though.

-Fire away!

How much do you drink?

An occasional beer on a hot summer's day,

the odd nip of whiskey.

Right.

Then, of course, I do like to hit the Communion wine sometimes!

Kidding! THEY LAUGH

How about exercise?

Well, I'm a keen bird-watcher

-so I do like a good yomp around the countryside.

-OK.

What's your diet like?

Pretty good.

Ladies like to bake cakes for you, in my job

but I've got very good at disposing of them diplomatically.

Even Mrs Tembe's?

I couldn't possibly comment!

One more question.

When was the last time you saw your GP?

When my wife died.

The year after her death was a very dark time for me.

I can imagine.

He...

..discussed anti-depressants with me but, in the end,

we both felt that the grief I was feeling was real.

The pills would have just masked the natural adjustment I had to make.

I don't know why I went to the doctor, in the first place.

I don't know what I expected him to do.

Of course, the...

person I most wanted to turn to,

to talk to about how dreadful I was feeling, was Leslie.

I still miss her...

..in sorrow and in joy.

Seems like you two were very close.

We were.

Look, do you mind if I step outside for a moment, just to get some air?

No, it's fine.

Just go out of the door and turn left. We've a terrace at the back.

Thank you. I won't be long.

Take your time.

-# I'll tell you what

-I'll tell you what

-# What I have found

-What I have found

-# That I'm no fool

-That I'm no fool

-# I'm just upside down

-I'm just upside down

-# Ain't got no cares

-Ain't got no cares

-# I ain't got no rules

-I ain't got no rules

-# I think I liked

-I think I liked

-# Living upside down.

-Living upside down.

-#

DOOR OPENING

It's OK, Mrs Tembe, please.

Leslie's death came up when I was chatting with Dr Clay, that's all.

She was a wonderful woman, I'm not ashamed to be found crying for her.

Of course not.

You must miss her every day.

The grief is still there

but I can see that...some good has come from losing her.

Now I can get closer to all those people who have also lost loved ones.

It is truly wonderful that you can see it like that.

You've lost your husband, too, haven't you, Mrs Tembe?

Yes. Yes, I have.

But it is getting very cold out here

and you really should not be sitting in it, Reverend.

I have so much work to catch up with for afternoon surgery.

So, please, will you come inside?

Of course.

Oh, hey, Mr, listen...

I had to use up all that money you gave me to pay off a debt.

I had a bad man after me.

Search me - I ain't got a penny of it left.

You don't have to explain to me,

I'm just sorry you couldn't use it to buy food.

My name's Beano, by the way.

-Paul.

-You're a decent man, Paul.

Look, Beano...

..everyone!

Who'd like to come with me, right now,

to get a really decent meal, yeah? No expense spared.

Paul, this might come as a surprise to you

but a lot of places won't let us in.

Don't worry about that, my friend, I'll find somewhere.

What did I tell you? He's off his trolley. Come on.

-KNOCK AT THE DOOR

-Come in.

Thanks for the chat.

Any time. You OK?

Better now. You were very understanding.

I've lost a few people myself.

Well, just pop into St Bernie's if you ever need a listening ear.

Thank you. Listen...

Don't forget this.

Oh, thanks.

I need to be fighting fit with what I've got ahead of me!

Best of luck!

Hm!

"Raising Smiles"? No, I'm sorry, but we don't give to cold callers.

Oh, yes, that is my husband.

OK.

And when you say it's your largest ever single donation, how much?

Oh?!

You know, it's true what they say,

it's not where you are, it's who you're with!

I'd like to shake each and every one of you by the hand,

and thank you for your company.

It's been a wonderful afternoon. I feel like we've really connected.

I know what you mean...

you're like a brother to me now.

-Thank you.

-Oh, you know.

Oh...that's a very nice watch you've got there.

Have it, I've got a drawer full.

Oh-ho, that's very decent of you.

Parting gift?

-Ooh. Oh!

-PHONE RINGING

Don't spend it all at once, eh?

Hello! Mr Moneybag's phone.

Paul? Who is this?

'I'm his right-hand man.'

Is Paul there? Can you just put him on?

Are you his missus? Ha-ha-ha!

Yeah, oh...if you could see what he's up to this time!

I bet you'd have his guts for garters!

'Have you been drinking?'

Just put Paul on!

No, he can't talk at this time. He's redistributing his wealth!

Hello?!

Here ya, you want to be careful with this now, Mr, it could get robbed.

Thank you. Thanks.

Well, I'd better be off - people to see and all that.

Take care of yourselves, yeah?

-Mrs Lavello?

-I thought he had the all-clear?

I'm sorry, I couldn't stop her.

She said she thought her husband was dying.

-Well, is he?

-I'll leave you to it.

No, what makes you think that?

He's just given £500,000

to a charity he's never even mentioned before

and when I tried to contact him

some crazy, drunken person answered the phone.

I don't how I'm supposed to...

The only explanation I can think of

is that he's been told he doesn't have long to live.

He came to see you earlier, what did you talk about?

I really couldn't bear all those hospital visits again.

I can't tell you what we talked about, I'm afraid, it's confidential.

"Confidential"? I have a right to know!

-Can I have quick word.

-Sure.

Something happened?

Chris was pushing me about his father's treatment this morning

and I felt in a very awkward position.

You're in an awkward position?!

Oh, look, Sam wants to tell Chris himself but I don't know when.

-Maybe tomorrow - perhaps at the weekend?

-Tell me what?

Could he be depressed?

Does he need, you know, should he have counselling, or something?

We had an argument earlier. He's just been so mopey lately.

You need to talk to your husband.

Clearly lost it.

Maybe I should apply for power of attorney

before he offloads all of our money?

Maybe then I could get the cheque stopped?

Would you support me in that?

Extreme generosity isn't necessarily a sign of insanity.

You wouldn't be saying that

if it was your partner giving away all your money!

Talk to HIM.

-Talk to me!

-I can't.

-This needs to come from your dad.

-WHAT does?

-It's too late for that, I need to know now!

-Chris...

Tell me!

If there's something wrong with Dad then I need to know!

All right. All right, just sit down.

This isn't easy...

..your dad has decided that he can't live with his condition any more.

What d'you mean?

He intends to take his own life.

(What?!)

Look, I've told him that I am completely against it.

What are you TALKING about, Mum?! Look, he would never do that!

He wouldn't just leave me!

Look, I know and I have told him how heartbroken you'd be...

-SHOUTS:

-It's NOT going to happen...

..OK?

I won't allow it!

He's not in his right mind.

That's all!

She's yours - enjoy!

Oh, thanks very much. Ha, yeah! Ha-ha! Yeah.

Lovely.

Way-hey! Ha-ha-ha! Woo-hoo!

What d'you think you're doing?

What...

..it's my money.

What's happened?

What's he done?

Messed up.

I'm afraid your husband has been on a bit of a spree.

He's given away a hell of a lot of money

and we've been cleaning up after him all afternoon.

I'm sorry, I don't understand?

Well, for a start there's the drink-fuelled fight we've had to break up,

there's the injuries sustained to the people stampeding -

trying to get hold of the money that he's scattered around,

there's the massive injection of cash into the drug market...

Don't say anything.

Oh, yes, and the man of no fixed abode we had to arrest

because he was driving your husband's sports car drunk.

You gave away your CAR?!

What about ownership papers, insurance?

I didn't think.

-Will he go to prison?

-For goodness' sake, Grace!

It's still not absolutely illegal in this country to give money away!

No, but you've got to understand that you have been irresponsible.

I mean, did it never occur to you

that the people you were giving your money to

would spend it on drink and drugs?

What's wrong with giving it to charity, for goodness' sake?

-I liked seeing the people my money's helping.

-"Helping"?!

Look, it just got out of hand, all right?

Life's been a bit...sterile lately

and it sounds pathetic but I got a buzz out of giving stuff away,

stuff that didn't mean anything to me any more.

And talking to people -

guys I'd usually walk past without a second thought.

I can only apologise.

You've been a complete idiot.

You're lucky they haven't locked you up!

Don't forget, you need to come down to the station

in the next couple of days. It'll probably be just a caution.

Look, I know you meant well

but next time, just stop and think, yeah?

Don't worry, Sergeant, I'll make sure there isn't a next time.

-OK, I'll leave you to it.

-Thank you.

What on EARTH were you thinking?!

At least if you had been about to snuff it

you might have had some sort of an excuse!

What about me?

Did you stop for one second,

while you were out there making a fool of yourself,

-to think about me?

-This isn't about you!

Something important has happened!

I came close to death and it's made me rethink everything -

my identity, my values, the things that make me happy!

And I don't make you happy?

The cancer affected me too, you know.

The endless hospital visits, having to change our diet...

..seeing you in pain.

The fear that I might actually lose you.

Oh, come off it, Grace, you're as tough as old boots!

You just didn't like having your routines disturbed

and that's really why you didn't want a child in the first place, isn't it?

I know, at the time, I agreed to it, but...

..the cancer, the recovery, today -

they've all made me stop and look back over last few years and just...

see how empty they've been.

So what are you saying?

I admit...

that after the diagnosis, I did cling to you

but I now see that...I was just terrified of dying alone.

You used me, then?

Maybe.

Or maybe I thought that having something real in our lives,

that wasn't another holiday or a new wallpaper, or some fabric sample,

MIGHT actually bring us closer together.

What about the house?

It's yours...

I can't stand the sight of it any more.

So that's it?

I need a fresh start.

I was a fool today...

but...it's made me see that

I need to give myself to something...

Or someone?

You'll be better off without me.

I really think I should be the judge of that.

I'll make sure you're OK for money.

So here I am again - quite a few quid lighter

and with a defunct marriage to boot.

Maybe I should have that counselling, eh?

I can arrange that for you.

You certainly need to take a step back

before you make any more big changes.

Take the time to discover what really matters to you.

Find out what you really value.

That's good advice, thanks.

I'd stick with this if I were you, Dr Tyler,

the high life isn't all it's cracked up to be.

# If that's all there is, my friend

# Then let's keep dancing

# Let's break out the booze...

SHE SHOUTS AND CRIES

# If that's all

# There is. #

Chris...

This is all your doing.

What?!

Dad would never have thought about this if you hadn't put the idea in his head.

Of course I didn't!

I hate the idea as much as you do!

-I don't believe you!

-Why would I?

He'd do anything for you.

He's always idolised you, made excuses for you...

who knows why?

The only reason he'd want to do this...

is to stop being a burden to you

-and that's why you're going along with it.

-No, you're wrong!

You want to clear away your sick, worn-out husband

so that you can carry on enjoying your life.

That's what matters to you!

-This is ridiculous!

-No.

I know you too well, Mum.

You're just a selfish bitch who wants it easy...

and letting your husband sacrifice himself

would suit you right down to the ground.

-Chris...

-Get out of my way!

And what about Micky? What about his family?

Unblemished safety record -

you'd better make sure it stays that way

or you'll have more than a fat lip.

I know how you must feel...

My son is dead, how could you possibly know how I feel?

The only person Mum cares about is herself.

Don't you ever...talk about your mother like that again!

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